Exercising-ball



PATENTED JAN. 12, 1904.

J. s. AYDBLOTT. BXERGISING BALL.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1903.

H0 MODEL.

' INVENTOH WI TNE SSE ,ATTOHNE Y UNITED STATES Patented January 12, 1904.

JACOB S. AYDELOTT, OF MARION, INDIANA.

EXERCISING-eBALL- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 749,147, dated January 1 2, 1904.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J ACOB S. AYDELOTT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Marion, in the county of Grant and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Exercise-Ball, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in exercise-balls in which segmental parts of the ball are combined by means to produce resilience between the segmental divisions and the objects of my improvement are, first, to provide an imitation base-ball and, second, to provide in said ball the means to strengthen and develop and train the muscles of the thumb, fingers, wrist, hand, and arm. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which i Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire ball with its parts assembled. Fig. 2 is a view of the convex side of the spherical segments of the ball, and Fig. 3 is a view of the reverse side of the same segments, and Fig. 1 illustrates the ball open and the hinged union of its segments.

Similar letters refer to similarparts throughout the several views.

The spherical segments A A, Fig. 1, constitute the main body ofthe ball and are preferably two in number, similar in size and shape, and are preferably equal segments of identical shape and size. The segment A in Fig. 2 and the segment A in Fig. 3 have the corresponding portions 6 e of each segment removed to accommodate the hinge a a in Fig. 1. These spherical segments at the edges where said portions 6 e have been removed are joined together by means of a suitable spring-hinge a a, Figs. land 4, and by a flexible strap 0 c, Fig. 1, adapted to hold the segments in operative position and prevent the parts from opening beyond the intended spherical limits of the ball. Each spherical segment is provided with a hole f in its convex side. These holes are similar and similarly located, and between them are the extended intervening grooves g 9, adapted to receive a rubber or other elastic band or bands h h. Suitable fastenings are formed tofitinto said holes and receive and hold the ends of said bands and keep the bands extended between The ends of the strap 0 0 are similarly let into the groove 72 n and fastened therein in conformity to the surface of the ball.

The hinge a a of the ball has its leaves attached to the segments of the ball which turn upon the hinge and open and close by applying and relaxing pressure upon the exterior ofthe segments, and the pin of the hinge carries a cylindrical spring adapted to exert constant force inthe direction of opening the hinge, widening the space between the planes of the segments, maintaining the expansion of the ball, rendering it resilient and afiording resistance to pressure upon the ball when in use, and preserving its constant elasticity.

The ball in size is made to conform substantially to the ordinary base-ball, and its elasticity regulated by the strength of the springs in the movable hinge a a and by the elastic bands in the grooves g g, and which band's may be increased or diminished in strength and number as required.

In use'the ball is handled and manipulated as the ordinary base-ball and subjected to various degrees of pressure exerted in practice by the muscles of the thumb and fingers,wrist, hand, and arm upon the ball, whereby the same are developed and strengthened and specially trained for action and endurance.

WhatI claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an exercise-ball, the combination of two similar spherical segments, a springhinge carrying oneof said segments on each of its leaves, a flexible strap connecting the edges of said segments opposite said hinge, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination in an exercise-ball. of two spherical segments, a removable springhinge carrying on each of its leaves one of said the opening swing of the segments upon the hinge, an elastic band or bands taut between corresponding fastenings on the convex surface of the respective segments, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name 5 to this specification in the presence of two subseribmg wltnesses.

JACOB S. AYDELOTT.

Witnesses:

ORLO L. CLINE, NETTIE E. POWELL. 

